Book Release & Giveaway - On The Bright Side

On The Bright Side is a new book from author S.R. Johannes. Her previous book Untraceable, was described as a "thrilling story... dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception, and teen romance. The action flows like brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to the last page" by Kirkus Reviews. 

With On The Bright Side, Johannes changes from mystery and suspense to humor and action. 

The heroine of her novel, Gabby, has died and been sent to Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven. There Skyphones and InnerNets are all the rage. Gabby discovers that she has been assigned to protect her school nemesis, Angela. As if that wasn't hard enough, she soon discovers that Angela is now dating her would-be boyfriend Michael.

When Gabby gets in trouble for not protecting Angela, she is put on probation. Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Little does Gabby know that by doing this, she has put the whole future of Cirrus, and Heaven itself, in jeopardy.

Go here to view the book trailer.

The Bright Side e-book is being released today, January 31st on Amazon for just 99 cents. The paperback will available in February. In addition, the Kindle version of Untraceable (The Nature of Grace Series) is currently available for $2.99. The paperback is available for $9.99. 

S.R. Johannes is the author of Untraceable (a teen wilderness thriller) and On The Bright Side ( a tween paranormal). She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world. After earning an MBA and working in corporate america, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing.

Would you like to win e-books of both On The Bright Side and Untraceable? Just use the rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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Mom Confession Monday (3)

This is one I think I think I've kept pretty well hidden on this blog. 

Ready for it?

I am a huge fangirl. 

It is true. Certain shows and books cause me to completely geek out. For example...

Aaaaaaah!!!!! Did you see? Did you see?! TYRION. I loves him. Poor Sansa. Kick-ass Arry. Stupidface Joffrey. Tricksy false Varys. Dumb Catelyn. Gorgeous Jon Snow. Dragons! Beautiful Daenarys. The Wall! 

So much loves. 

Really, I am a huge dork when it comes to certain books, tv shows, and movies. Supernatural, Doctor Who, Star Trek, etc. 

So that's my confession of the week. What turns you into a fangirl?

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A little humor for you

Sorry that I've been MIA for a few days. We will be back to our regularly scheduled blog posts tomorrow, complete with giveaways and reviews and fun times. But until then I leave you with this...

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Wordy Wednesday

I just have to share the story behind these pics. I was vacuuming the floor, and CJ is terrified of the vacuum. The hubby put him on the couch with his lovey and his guitar. CJ sat there crying and strumming his guitar with his one hand. All I could imagine was him singing "Nobody knoooooows, the troubles I've seen....." 

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Top Ten TV Guilty Pleasures

Top Ten TV Guilty Pleasures

1. Pretty Little Liars - Sometimes this show infuriates me. Where are their parents when they are in life or death situations?! Why are teenagers so melodramatic? Why does everyone in this high school have perfect skin and hair?! I keep telling myself I'm only going to watch it until we find out who A is, but I'm probably just lying to myself. The four main characters are just gorgeous and flawless. I want to hate them all but they're adorable.

2. Real Housewives of New Jersey - This is the only housewives show I watch. I love these girls. I used to love Jacqueline, but she has annoyed me this past season. Caroline is still my hero and I hope to be a mom like her. I love the new additions of Kathy and Melissa. They are both so sweet and funny. Teresa is a nut. End of that story.

3. Supernatural - Sometimes campy, sometimes over-the-top, always awesome. Dean's one-liners alone make this show completely worth it. I even got my husband into it. 

4. Gossip Girl - Again, where are their parents?! I love Blair. I love her clothes, I love her self-serving attitude, I love her on-again/off-again love for Chuck. I keep giving this show up and then going back to it. So bad, it is good. I don't understand why this season Blair has stopped washing her hair and doing her eyebrows.

5. Doctor Who - I don't really feel guilty about this one because it is the greatest show ever. Stephen Moffat is an evil genius. My mind is still blown over the River Song reveal. Wow. 

 6. Revenge - This show is so over-the-top with the drama. I can't wait to see how it all ends.

7. Spartacus - The blood, the gore, the violence, the sex. LOVE IT. Actually, not going to lie, the sex scenes are so gratuitous I have to look away. I'm such a prude.

8. Once Upon a Time - Have you seen this show? It is so freaking good. I'm almost not ashamed because it is so good, but since it is about fairy tale characters, I'll add it to the list.

9. Psych - This show is soooooo funny. I love the dynamic between Shawn and Gus.

10. Mob Wives - Another hot mess of a show. I don't really like any of these characters the way I do with Real Housewives, because they are all mean and insane. But I kind of love Renee for some reason. I just want to hug her and tell her she's beautiful. And OMG Big Ang this season. Love her to death.

So what shows do you watch that you are slightly ashamed of? 

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Mom Confession Monday (2)

From the time the baby goes to bed (at approximately 830) until when the hubby gets home from work (at approximately 1130), I have my headphones on and I am rocking out like it is my job. My favorite jams are things that either aren't appropriate for the baby or that the husband just refuses to listen to. My top favorites are anything by Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, and Flo Rida. "Oh hot dayum, this is my jam...." You can take the girl out of the ghetto, you can't take the ghetto out of the girl. 

Not appropriate.

 During the day, I listen to "appropriate" music like Adele and my boyfriend Josh Groban.  Don't get me wrong, the baby and I rock and we dance our little tushies off, it is just usually to Veggie Tales (Ceeeeebuuuuuuu!) and The Ants Go Marching. But at night, all bets are off. I am rocking out with my --- out. I am dropping it like it is hott. And it is. Hands in the air, doing my trademark "white girl dance". Ain't got no shame... so long as no one is home to see.

Appropriate.

So what about you, what is your mom confession this Monday? Link up below! 

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Menu Plan Monday

It's that time again. Everything we made for dinner last week was freaking delicious. I mean really. The beef stew was to die for. I even liked Craig's split-pea soup. He made it a little spicy and it made it yummy. I had it with a grilled cheese sandwich. There's still some in the fridge if you'd like to come over for lunch. :)

So this week, we are keeping it simple. Lots of leftovers. Craig made a big turkey dinner this weekend, so we will be having turkey sandwiches quite a bit. I'm ok with it. Turkey is yummy. I'll also be using the turkey to make Pumpkin Turkey Chili. My friend made it and she said it was delicious. So here's our plan...

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Pumpkin Turkey Chili
Tuesday - Leftover Chili
Wednesday - Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Thursday - Leftover BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Friday - Spaghetti
Saturday - Mark and Sara-Marie's wedding!!!
Sunday - Craigy steaks and salad

So what are you cooking up this week? Pin It

Gaaah!

Gaaaah!!! I was just taking pics with my digital camera for a review and I dropped it. Now the dang thing won't even turn on. Anyone have any recommendations for a good, relatively inexpensive digital camera? I had a Nikon Coolpix L22 and I liked it, but I think I need something a little more fancypants.

In other news, good job Patriots! Pin It

Weekly Wrap-Up

Cool kids on the way to the dr's office.

On Tuesday, CJ had his 18-month check-up. He now weighs 23lbs, 9oz and is 32.5 inches tall. He's average for weight and in the 25th percentile for height. Not surprised there. I can't believe he only weighs 23lbs. This child does not stop eating from the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep. First thing in the morning he says "ba" for a banana. Finishes banana, asks for an apple. Eats the apple, asks for milk. Finishes the milk, asks for juice. It doesn't end.

Perfectly content before the doctor came in.

The doctor is a little worried because CJ still isn't talking much. The doctor is old-school (he was the hubby's pediatrician too) so he's not at all impressed that CJ can sign pretty much everything. He says that if CJ doesn't double his word count in the next 3 months, he will have to send him to early Intervention. I'm honestly not worried. CJ has no trouble at all communicating. He knows exactly how to tell us what he needs. Furthermore, I've been told that I was a late talker, and when I finally did start talking, it was in complete sentences. I'm not saying that is what is going to happen with CJ, but I'm not that worried. We talk to him all the time and he hears us talk to each other all the time, so he'll talk when he is ready. Tonight, I was singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to him and he started sort of babbling and singing along. So I think that singing to him might get him to at least verbalize a little more. We'll see.

Welcome to New England buddy. 

On Wednesday, CJ and I had a lunch date. We went to Chunky's Cinema and Pub, a local movie theatre, for their monthly kid-friendly movie. This month it was The Lion King. I've never seen the Lion King without my little sister with me, so I was texting her randomly through the movie. Normally I would never do that, but it is fine at this movie. They don't turn the lights all the way down and they serve food and drink and the kids are allowed to run crazy through the theatre. I've never seen any kids do that, but apparently it is allowed.
CJ really wasn't all that interested in the movie. He said cat a few times when he saw the lions, he signed monkey when he see Rafiki. Even the music wasn't impressive to him. I got a little verklempt when Mufasa died. "Help!! Somebody!! Anybody..." I tell you, that was probably one of the saddest moments of my childhood. But yea, CJ wasn't impressed. He was more impressed with the little girl next to him, who he was a horrible influence on, and his dinosaur nuggets. It was also a pain trying to keep him from getting to the giant buckets of popcorn they leave on the table. The lady across from me kept putting in front of her daughter which in turn put it in front of CJ. Once I told her he was allergic to the butter, she kept it away from him. I feel bad that I have to be that mom, but I really don't want to have to use his Epi-Pen on him.

Trying to impress the little girl sitting next to him.

Thursday was a relatively uneventful day. Craig let me sleep in, yay! Then I had a great tutoring session. Then CJ and I hung out all day while Craig made split-pea soup. Yum! Today we ran errands and had another uneventful day. Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

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Top Ten Tuesday

I'm doing my own Top Ten Tuesday again this week. Hope you get a laugh out of it.

As a preface, my mom is a single lady (no one better be putting a ring on it either) and I don't have a dad. Don't feel bad, I'm fine. I survived with some amazing ladies, an awesome grandfather, and a wonderful uncle, so I'm ok with it. But my mom and I were talking about her finding a new beau, so I'm putting my ideas out there on who I would like to be my new daddy. Another addendum, most of these men are a lot older than my mom, like old enough to be her father. But my mom is a really young mom, so most of the men her age (like Donnie Wahlberg) are too young and hott to be my dad. That would just be weird. Only two of the people on this list are even within 5 years of my mom. But, I've decided she needs herself a silver fox. So here's my list.

Top Ten Men I Wish Were My Dad

Perfect father figure right here!

1. Donald Sutherland - I have always felt like he would make the perfect dad. Obviously Kiefer's behavior indicates that my not be completely true, but he just looks so fatherly. I would listen when he talked. I would respect him. Even if he is a Canadian.

2. The Undertaker - The closest in age to my mom. Since the first time I saw him wrestling on WWE, I decided that he would be perfect for my mom. I don't know what it is, but I think they would be a good couple. He is married to another wrestler unfortunately. 

3. Kevin Nash - He just recently came to my attention as a viable father candidate. I don't know as much about him, but I think he'd do just fine. Definitely seems like my mom's type and he's not too much older than her.

Double 0 Dad

4. Sean Connery - Unfortunately, Sean has a bit of a domestic abuse problem, so he might not be a great choice. But come on, how awesome would it be if your dad was Bond?! 

Look at those baby blues.

5. Peter O'Toole - I decided I wanted Peter O'Toole too be my dad when I was a kid and I saw Lawrence of Arabia. Unfortunately, he is about 100 years old, so I don't think my mom would go for him. 

"Life finds a way."

6. Jeff Goldblum - He would be hilarious as a dad! I wouldn't understand anything he said because he talks like a crazy person, but he's still awesome. And he was in Powder. Bonus points right there. 

Apparently Glee reads my blog. They just cast Jeff Goldblum as one of Rachel's dads on the show. Copycats. 

7. Robin Williams - I love Robin Williams! He was awesome in Jumanji, and he has commercials out currently with his daughter, so obviously he's a good dad. He seems to be over his little substance abuse problem, so they'd be good to go. 

8. Patrick Stewart - "Make it so, number one." He'd probably get sick of me saying that to him at every get-together. And thanks to google, I now know that he is in fact, not a homosexual. So hello new daddy. 

9. Gary Oldman - He had me at Dracula. I know my mom will approve of this one.

10. Michael Caine - Way too old for my mom, but would make an awesome dad. Have you seen The Dark Knight? 

So if you are any of the people on this page, and you are interested in going out on a date with my mom, let me know. I can hook it up. 

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Remembering The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am obsessed with Martin Luther King, Jr. Up until a few years ago, I would generally spend this day in bed with his books, sobbing to myself. He is one of the greatest men that ever lived. I truly think that if he was still alive today, the world wouldn't be in half the sorry state it is in. He was an inspiration and a humble wonderful human being. I met his son once when I was younger. He was incredibly nice and sweet to me, even though I'm sure it was rather weird for him to hear from a blonde-haired, blue-eyed little white girl what an impact his father had. I hope that you all take a moment today to reflect on his legacy.

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Menu Plan Monday

Planning our menu worked out great for us last week, definitely going to continue this. So here's this week's yum yums. It is really cold out (9 degrees) so we are having a lot of stew and soup this week.

Monday - Crock Pot Beef Stew (in the crock pot now!)

Tuesday - Leftover crock pot beef stew

Wednesday - Spinach, tortellini, and grilled chicken salad

Thursday - Split Pea soup (we have a ham bone to use)

Friday - Burgers and Fries

Saturday - Dada is making steaks! Yum!

Sunday - Maybe a date night. 

Last week's hits were the sun-dried tomato penne and Paula Deen's avocado, egg, bacon, and cheese sandwiches. If you've got any great quick, easy, and yummy (preferably dairy-free) recipes to share, let me know! I'm learning to cook so I'm down for trying anything!

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TBR Intervention (8)

So the last time I did the TBR Intervention was December 3rd. Whoops. I was supposed to read Life of Pi. Aaaand I didn't. Whoops again. I'll try to do better this week/month.

I'm going to read The Last Boleyn.

I've had this on my tbr list since 2008. The baby was actually pulling books off the bookshelf today and handed this to me, so I guess it is time I read it. I haven't read a Boleyn book in a few months so this should tide me over for a while. I love me some Boleyns. Wish me luck!

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CJ Goes Marching

We just got Just Dance Kids for Christmas. CJ loves to dance to the music. It is a really great work out for me too. This is CJ dancing to The Ants Go Marching. He's obsessed with this song.

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Walgreens and Express Scripts

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

You may have recently seen on the news something about Express Scripts and Walgreens. It is all a little confusing, so I'm going to break it down. 

Express Scripts is a company that provides prescriptions to places like hospitals and pharmacies. Recently, they decided to change their contracts with many of their providers. One of those was Walgreens. Walgreens decided that they did not want to continue their contract with Express Scripts because Express Scripts was unwilling to negotiate. Walgreens wasn't seeking to make more money, they simply wanted the prices to stay where they were, but Express Scripts wasn't ok with that. (For more information, go to Walgreens and Express Script)

If you get your prescriptions from Walgreens, this may affect you. If you have Tricare (military health insurance), this might affect you. Because Walgreens cannot fill Express Scripts prescriptions, you may have to go to a pharmacy that is not convenient to you. You may have to pay a lot more since Walgreens is one of the least expensive pharmacies out there. 

Fortunately, Walgreens has come up with a way to help you out. The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is offering a special discount on annual membership for its Prescription Savings Club. An individual can join during a special January promotion for only $5, or $10 for a family membership, and receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and all generic medications. More than 400 generics are available with a three-month supply for less than $1 a week. Regular annual membership is $20 for an individual and $35 for a family.

For more information, go to your local Walgreens pharmacy or check out Walgreens on Twitter or Walgreens on Facebook.

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Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop (Jan 13-18th)

This is a giveaway hop, so check out I Am a Reader, Not a Writer to see the other over 200 blogs who are doing giveaways!

I will be giving away one of Barefoot Books Books for Bedtime (under $19.99). 

I highly recommend these choices which are huge bedtime favorites in my house :

To enter, just fill in the rafflecopter form below!

Good luck!

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